MADISON – Wisconsin’s Zander Neuville, who is pursuing a degree in biology and isn’t intimidated by organic chemistry, acknowledges that for a brief time last August he doubted his ability to adapt to his new job.

A redshirt sophomore at the time, Neuville was switched to tight end from defensive end.

The reason: UW had a plethora of defensive ends and a paucity of tight ends.

“I was excited at first,” Neuville said recently. “But once I really started getting into it, I (thought): ‘What did I get myself into?’

“Honestly, the offense can get very complicated. There were times last year I’d joke that learning the offense was harder than some of the organic chemistry classes I was taking. I just wasn’t used to it at all and it was a really big learning curve.”

The staff wisely kept Neuville’s workload and responsibilities modest and he slowly adapted to the new position as UW’s No. 4 tight end. He did not catch a pass, but by the end of the season was a devastating blocker.

When UW opens the season at 8 p.m. Friday against visiting Utah State at Camp Randall Stadium, the Badgers should field a versatile trio of tight ends – redshirt senior Troy Fumagalli, redshirt sophomore Kyle Penniston and Neuville.

“I’m really happy with where I am now,” Neuville said. “Looking back, it was a really good decision for me to move to tight end.”

Fumagalli enters the season with a combined 89 receptions for 1,080 yards and three touchdowns. He will be the No. 1 tight end target of quarterback Alex Hornibrook – and opposing defenses.

Penniston had six catches for 102 yards and two scores in his first season and should post better numbers in ’17.

Neuville, who is filling the role of the departed Eric Steffes, could surprise foes.

With 258 pounds on his 6-foot-5 frame, Neuville is the heaviest of the top three tight ends. A three-sport standout at Waupaca High School, Neuville is much more nimble than Steffes was.

“I do think I have pretty good speed, but I also can lower my shoulder,” Neuville said. “I’m excited to get some opportunities this year to see what I can do.”

Tight ends coach Mickey Turner intentionally gave Neuville a small number of routes to know each week in 2016.

The training wheels came off in the spring, and Neuville has shown the ability to get open against linebackers and safeties and catch the ball.

“Last year, when I look back and watch film, I just didn’t understand the offense as a whole,” Neuville said. “The coaches would pick and choose plays they wanted me to know for that week.

“And run blocking is my strength so that is how I was spending most of my time last year.

“This spring and fall Coach Turner has been giving me routes I was never running last year. I’m feeling really confident catching the ball now, and the fact I can run all the routes is going to expand our offense. That is going to make it harder for teams.”

In Fumagalli, Penniston and Neuville he should have three options capable of making plays as receivers and blockers.

All three no doubt will be on the field together at times this season and opponents will have to find ways to counter.

“I think he is a really talented football player and he is an explosive athlete,” Chryst said of Neuville. “He is smart. He is tough. I think he has put himself in position to be really important to this team."